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Borneo Post-Sarawak Section: Leisure Ad Value: RM 5,723 11-Jul-2021 Size : 407cm2 PR Value: RM 17,170

The Red Guardian a role David Harbour couldn’t turn down

The Red Guardian a role David Harbour couldn't turn down

EVEN before his first Marvel version would be a reluctant Cinematic Universe script landed father figure. in his hands, David Harbour was “The fun thing about this certain he wanted to be a part of character is that he,s not that the (Black Widow' movie. well-known," Harbour said. Harbour was blown away "The problem with ) by the meet-for-lunch pitch or is with 'Black Widow' director that they are so well-known and Cate Shortland, who said beloved in the comics that you she envisioned him as Alexei really have to keep within a mold Shostakov, the shield-wielding to a certain degree. Whereas Red Russian version of Captain Guardian, he had a beard, we America also known as the Red had tattoos, we were able to play Guardian. with him a lot more.” Shortland saw the character Harbour said there were brief as a shell of his former self discussions about Chris Evans 一a super-soldier who has making a cameo as Captain maintained a paternal bond America in “Black Widow," with the film's title character to explore the Red Guardian's but is now in prison, covered in complicated relationship with his tattoos, telling war stories that star-spangled US counterpart. don't quite add up and desperate The idea never got off the for everyone to laugh at his ground because this is not the overtly macho sense of humour. Red Guardian's show. The '' and Harbour welcomed what he 'Hellboy' star saw a range he saw as subtle-but-noticeable wasn't expecting in a supporting differences in the filmmaking MCU character. process, given that Shortland 'Black Widow' is a 'finally' is the MCU's first solo female moment for Scarlett Johansson's director. Natasha Romanoff, who at long "It's hard to make last gets her own solo cinematic generalizations about men and story to tell. women because human beings Harbour doesn't steal the are so different, but I did find spotlight but combines all­ that the vibe on the set [had] American dad, Russian spy and more questioning and was more former , along with collaborative,“ Harbour said. a dash of humor— giving the "A lot of times with strong movie 'an unexpected kick,' male directors you can get into as Washington Post critic Ann a vibe c'mon, let's shoot... Homaday put it. He's the guy .I did find that there was more who shouldn't matter much but exploration happening. manages to anyway. **I also like being the non­ “I was very excited to join the dominant voice. 1 like being the in general/* only guy in the room. It actually Harbour told The Washinton felt liberating in a strange way. Post. It's nice to sit back and have “To play a guy who was so these four very strong, very three-dimensional was such a intelligent women in charge and gift." sort of let the boat carry you The Red Guardian, created by down the river." writer-editor and As an actor, Harbour has been the late, legendary artist John a part of both sides of the comic­ Buscema, first appeared in 'The book movie coin. ' No. 43, published by His “Hellboy" reboot was in 1967. not a critical or commercial Harbour says he flipped success, but he said that it was through a few of the character's a role he wanted and that he comic-book appearances but enjoyed making the film. He knew the 'Black Widow' movie said a Marvel Studios movie is a would not lean in to those tales much different experience, one too heavily. In the comics, that feels like you already know the Red Guardian is the Black you're going to hit a home run. Widow's husband. Harbour's —The Washington Post

David Harbour in 'Black Widow.' — Marvel Studios